Suicide Prevention and Mental Health: How Finding a Community to Serve With Saved My Life

2023-10-10T06:56:52-04:00

In honor of World Mental Health Day, I’d like to share how I found my way out of the dark to a place of peace and happiness.

I served 21 years as an infantryman in the Army, filled with purpose and a clear mission. When I medically retired from the Army in 2016, I soon learned that the uniform had also become part of my identity. The transition to civilian life was not what I expected. It was hard. There was no fanfare. One day I was a soldier and the next day I wasn’t. Without the constant source of confidence from a mission and the camaraderie and community of a team, I started to lose myself. The isolation, the disconnectedness, it all put me on a path to a very dark place where I was spiraling out of control.

On a whim, I signed up to volunteer with Travis Manion Foundation (https://rly.pt/TMF). I was shocked by the people I met there – other veterans like me, other people who had or were still fighting battles like the one I was currently fighting. I felt a ray of hope, even though I was still struggling.

As time went on, the connection I felt with the TMF community changed me. The dark place didn’t go away immediately though. There were a couple of times I felt like I was physically standing on a cliff with my toes over the edge, and honestly, if it weren’t for people from TMF calling me and checking on me, I wouldn’t be here today.

Little by little, as I began to feel part of a community once again, the darkness began to subside. I took advantage of every opportunity I could find to connect and grow with TMF. I participated in a 7-month program aimed at helping me learn what I was most passionate about and how I could apply that as a leader out of uniform. I trained to become a mentor to youth through the Character Does Matter program and found a sense of purpose that I thought I’d lost.

I discovered many of the youth in my community are walking a similar path to the one I experienced as a kid. They come from families who have fallen on hard times or are trying to find their way out of poverty. Being able to show them there are people out there who care, people like me who came from the same place, but found success through positive influences in my own life, has been a major part of my healing.

I had missed that feeling of making a difference, and showing up for youth in the same way a community of veterans did for me, it’s an experience that words cannot describe. The community I’ve found has taught me that I can help people, even out of uniform. I can be part of the good. Now I know that I am so much more than a “soldier.”

If you are struggling in the way I was, try not to judge yourself for having these thoughts; they don't define you. Reach out to someone you trust, whether it's a friend, family member, or mental health professional, and share what you're going through. Finding my purpose and becoming part of a community has been a lifeline for me. Through shared experiences and genuine connections, I've regained hope and a sense of belonging. The strength of this community has helped me overcome the isolation that once fueled my thoughts. Now, I wake up each morning with a renewed determination to navigate my journey and lend a helping hand to others who may be walking a similar path. The TMF community has been the guiding light that saved me from falling into despair and, for that, I'm eternally grateful.

If you’re in need of a community, you can join TMF here: https://rly.pt/TMFJointheMission

Travis Manion Foundation - "If Not Me, Then Who..."

Travis Manion Foundation (TMF) empowers veterans and the families of fallen heroes to develop character in future generations. In 2007, 1st Lt Travis Manion.

Response by Lt Col Charlie Brown made Oct 10 at 2023 7:08 AM

2023-10-10T07:08:55-04:00

Your story resonates for me. In my case the community is the American Red Cross and we have a lot of veterans who are a part of it.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 10 at 2023 2:31 PM

2023-10-10T14:31:52-04:00

SSG Archie Lee Rollins thanks for sharing your story... you are to be commended for what you're doing for your community.

Response by SFC Dr. Jesus Garcia-Arce, Psy.D made Oct 10 at 2023 7:43 PM

2023-10-10T19:43:28-04:00

Excellent, thank for sharing your experience story. You're not waste your time, you're most valuable voluntary in your community. Thank you very much SSG Rolling.

Response by SGT Ruben Lozada made Oct 14 at 2023 3:09 PM

2023-10-14T15:09:34-04:00

Good afternoon SSG Archie Lee Rollins. Excellent post. Thank You for sharing this Brother Archie.

Response by SGT Brent Scott made Oct 17 at 2023 7:51 PM

2023-10-17T19:51:47-04:00

Brother I’m glad you found a group to help. I believe that the transition from soldier to civilian is hard on all of us, I spent 27 yrs in the army and my wife is still currently serving going on 34 yrs, I have my demons from the service and from higher ranking personnel. It’s a daily fight, I’ve tried the suicide route twice and was unsuccessful thank god, but I found the Elks to be a great source and outlet for myself and my family, I joined an elks lodge in Texas and it’s based on two things ? Founded for veterans and raising money for special needs. There are peer groups within the elk lodges everywhere in the United States and it’s a great way to hang out with senior service members before my time and those that are currently serving or just got out, having an outlet is the greatest part of the organization, I found with rally point and the elks I’m just as happy as I was in the service

Response by PO2 Kelsey Martin made Oct 19 at 2023 12:18 AM

2023-10-19T00:18:52-04:00

Archie this is a very timely article for me. I am a Navy veteran, using my benefits to go to school for architecture and my Thesis is creating a community center where veterans are connected to service project opportunities to form bonds and communities to combat depression. Your story is a great example for me to reference if you don't mind? Thank you for sharing your experience.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 22 at 2023 3:32 PM

2023-10-22T15:32:52-04:00

Thanks for your come back story, Archie, it sure will help others brother.

Response by Perla Garcia made Nov 1 at 2023 12:36 AM

2023-11-01T00:36:39-04:00

Thank you for sharing your experience. It's incredible how finding a community can have such a profound impact on one's mental health and well-being. The American Red Cross is a wonderful organization, and it's heartening to hear that it has been a source of support for you, especially with the involvement of veterans.
For anyone looking for more information and resources related to mental health, https://www.mentalhealth.com/ can be a valuable resource to explore.
It's inspiring to see how communities can come together to make a difference and provide that much-needed support system.

MentalHealth.com: Information You Can Trust + Find a Therapist

MentalHealth.com is your trusted source for reliable mental health information and support. Start your journey today.

Response by PO1 John Smith made Nov 1 at 2023 11:10 PM

2023-11-01T23:10:24-04:00

I adopted a 3 legged cat from spca. She has 3 good legs and I have 1 useful one. I use her for a heating pad on the other. If I'm feeling edgy I just ask.. who will feed the cat?

I'd post a picture if I could

Some folks arent real sociable but Volunteerism can be a lot of things.

Response by SGT Daniel Simmons made Nov 25 at 2023 9:19 PM

2023-11-25T21:19:12-05:00

You want to know why so many veterans commit suicide, it’s because they can’t get the help they need when they need it. My point is my issue and I still can’t get any help from anyone.
I thought I had heard it all until now. I spent 12 years in the Army and after I got out in 1996, I have donated to multiple Veteran organizations every year with the notion that veterans take care of veterans. I have been proven wrong. After donating to veteran groups and organizations for 27 years, I finally asked for help. The answer I have gotten has completely baffled me. To be eligible to get any help, I have had to get out of service either after 9/11 or after 2013, because I got out in 1996, (even being 100% disabled does not matter). I am not eligible for any help from veteran groups or organizations. THAT IS B.S.!! I always believed that they helped veterans no matter when they got out, when veterans need help that they would be there. When my house burned down, I did not ask for help, now I know why they did not come to me. I am glad that I didn’t ask for help from them, their answer to my need would have been my demise. I am now going to check with any veteran group or organization before I donate and if there is a DD-214 date requirement for their help, I will not donate anything ever again. Last and foremost a veteran in need is a veteran in need no matter when they got out of service. There is something seriously wrong here!! Like always I will get myself through this with no help, I am tired of asking for something that never happens.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 6 at 2023 5:53 AM

2023-12-06T05:53:14-05:00

Prioritizing mental health is so important! There is also a current research effort ongoing about military leaders and their exposure / attitudes towards suicide for anyone who would like to help inform suicide prevention efforts across the DoD and NATO. Part 1 just takes 10 minutes - it is an anonymous online survey. Please consider completing!

Response by Sgt Sheri Lynn made Dec 11 at 2023 4:20 AM

2023-12-11T04:20:11-05:00

SSG Archie Lee Rollins thank you for sharing your story. After years of isolation I have finally begun to find community. And it really is making a difference for me as well. I find social media overwhelming, but Rally Point is a great fit for me. And through my participation I have found Victory for Veterans and Warriors for Life. Two excellent sources of peer support and camaraderie. It’s been like finding a family again. Something I have dearly missed.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jan 10 at 2024 3:52 PM

2024-01-10T15:52:41-05:00

People with significant suicide ideations need to have a concrete plan of who and where to go in a time of emergency.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jan 16 at 2024 9:09 PM

2024-01-16T21:09:37-05:00

I firmly believe people who have suicidal ideations should have cards on them with important phone numbers to include who they will contact in emergencies.